Both Citizen and Seiko have a lot of dive watches, and they release updated and new models all the time. And one of the latest releases from Citizen is the Citizen Promaster Dive BN0261-51E, a 41mm Stainless Steel Eco-Drive diver with a classic and attractive design that’s both capable and versatile. Four versions are currently available: the black dial shown in this review, a green dial in both stainless and gold-plated, and a blue dial. All come with a solid link bracelet and retail for $450.
Specifications
41mm Stainless Case20mm Lugs47mm Lug to Lug11.8mm Thick150 GramsSapphire CrystalAluminum BezelEco-Drive Solar200m Water ResistantStainless BraceletMSRP $450 USD
Thank you to Sakura Watche who sent this model for reivew.
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https://www.sakurawatches.com/citizen-promaster-marine-bn0261-51e
The design of this Citizen Promaster Dive is what caught my eye when this watch was released earlier this year, in May, simply because of that old-school look. Some may call this design generic, but if that’s the case, so is a Rolex Submariner, most Seikos, other Citizens, and countless other watches. Yes, this is a very simple dive watch design, and that is what I love about it. The hands and markers are large, though, and with both a thick bezel insert and a thick bezel edge, it gives this tapered case a little boldness and, of course, is very easy to read at a glance.
The all stainless steel case has a slightly tapered design though it is a little deceiving, as the bezel does not overhang the case, but the mid case has a nice flat all stainless brused edge, with a polished chamfer on top, while the top of the case is all brushed as well, with dual finishing on the bezel, and a polished crown.
The finishing with polished touches provides just enough contrast to the case, showcasing the nice lines without making it look flashy. One of my issues with many watches featuring a similar design is the prevalence of high-polished case sides, which includes Rolex and Tudor models. The crown on this Promaster, of course, screws down, and it’s a good, solid feeling crown, and the bezel has a decent feel to it, but it is only a 60-click bezel. The aluminum insert is fine for this price point, but I do wish it were a brushed aluminum, as the painted finish does look a little cheap.
The dial of this Citizen Promaster Dive is similar to many other Citizen divers, though this one is a little more Submariner than others, especially the round and rectangular indices. The hands are all Citizen, though they have been used on countless Promaster models, and otherwise it’s the same old Citizen dial with a date at 3 and some text above 6 o’clock. This is a sunray dial, but because it is an Eco-drive, it’s somewhat transparent to allow for light to go through the dial to charge, and as such, this is less black dial and more charcoal grey. Above the dial is one of the main reasons that excited me for this model, and that is a sapphire crystal, instead of the overused mineral usually seen at this price point from Citizen.
The lume is very good, I believe Citizen still calls it Natulite, a proprietary version of Super-LumiNova. And in tone, it’s very similar to C3, and it glows bright and will glow for a good 5-6 hours. I wouldn’t say I was disappointed with the lume, but I was expecting it to be one that was still glowing after waking up from an 8-hour slumber.
I usually consider 41-42mm watches to be my “sweet spot these days,” yet I do find this Citizen Promaster Diver to feel a little small on my 7 1/2 inch or 19.05cm wrist. It’s hard to explain, but in person, when I look down at it, it just feels small to me, and I constantly say to myself, I wish this were 1mm or 2 bigger. For many, this may be the perfect size, but the design wears small in my opinion.
The bracelet is very nice, similar to bracelets used on many of the titanium Promaster divers, with the center links sitting proudly above the outer links. The center links have a very tiny polished chamfer on top and bottom as well, giving the bracelet just a tiny bit of pop and accentuating them even more. End links are solid, though I wish they didn’t have that curve, as it does draw my eye to it, and of course, the links use the pin and collar system, which can be a PIA.
The clasp is one of the older Citizen Promaster Dive clasp, and it’s built very well and functional with the large dive extension, but it’s also a very long clasp, and with my wrist size, I needed two links out, along with utilizing the extension. As such, my wrist is just large enough that this clasp is uncomfortable. In fact, it’s very comfortable on my wrist, but someone with a smaller wrist who would need more links removed would leave a lot of clasp that won’t curve around the bottom of the wrist.
Despite the smaller feel, I still have quite the fondness for this Citizen Promaster Diver, mostly because of the straightforward classic design. I admit that I love a lot of different types of watches, and even like the funky or outside-the-box pieces as well, but I am still a sucker for a dive watch such as this, and though I wish it were slightly larger, it’s still been a great everyday piece that I enjoy wearing. The clasp may not be for everyone, though I have heard you may be able to get a new style clasp for Citizen that should fit this model, and of course, it would look great on a rubber strap. I also love that it has a sapphire crystal, something not always seen on the more affordable Citizen Watches, especially ones that, when on sale, hit that $360-$380 price.
I've been an avid watch lover since the age of 7. Watches are not only my hobby but a passion. My favorite style used to be dive watches, but field or non bezel watches have been growing on me. When I'm not reviewing watches I am either cooking or with family and friends.
